The first sign of a three day break in the weather and Devil
(F650GS) and Dwarf (R1200GS) were loaded with our camping gear and we were off
on a ride to Margaret River in the south-west of Western Australia; the long
way round. By 8am we were making our way up the hill to Dwellingup, our heated
grips protecting us from a chilly 9 C. We stopped in the rest area in town
to drink tea and chew on an apple, and then we were on the road again, enjoying
the Lower Hotham Road on our way to Collie. A cup-a-soup and a ham sandwich,
was all we needed for lunch as an apple pie from the Big Apple Bakery in
Donnybrook was part of our itinerary.
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| First time in the tent for 2017. |
From Donnybrook we cruised a few kilometers along the South Western
Highway and then we took Dwarfies favourite road, the one that twists and turns
with the Blackwood River all the way from Balingup to Nannup. Nannup looked
simply beautiful when we rode into town, everywhere so green, the trees in
flower and the air so still. By now it was 3pm and it was time to ride the
final 70km to Margaret River before the kangaroos start waking up at 4pm.
$54 later we had taken an unpowered site, for two nights, at
the Margaret River Tourist Park, the tent was up and we were as happy as can
be, sitting in our camp chairs and drinking a cold beer. The guys at Kappadokia
Kebab fed us late in the evening and then we settled into our little tent, our
head lights guiding the way, and for a moment life seemed so simple and easy;
we were enjoying life on the road again.
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| Water Wheel @ Cape Leeuwin |
Caves Road is a delight on a day ride from Margaret River.
The following morning we road south to Augusta, free as a bird gliding amongst
the tall timbers that line the road side and forever wary of the tin-tops,
pulling out of side roads and hard braking when nearly missing their
destination. Locally caught "bronzy" (bronze whaler shark) and chips
is a must in Augusta and we ate ours amongst the seagulls on the banks of the
Hardy Inlet. For the love of riding Caves Road we retraced our steps to the
legendary chocolate factory for a generous sample of chocolate buttons and a
cappuccino and a truffle. On our second night in Margaret River we dined in the
popular Chang Thai Kitchen on Station Road; the food was good, the wine was
good; life was good.
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| Back in my studio writing this blog. |
On the third day we packed up our little tent and rode the
long way home via Nannup, Bridgetown and Collie. The Brockman Highway, which
runs between Nannup and Bridgetown, is simply magic. We rode along all day,
enjoying the spiritual freedom of our own thoughts and dreams, until we were
spat out on the South Western Highway for the last hour towards home.
After a thousand kilometres, we arrived home just as we had
left, living by our wits amongst the tin-tops busily going about their day;
until next time....
